Engineer, Technical

USA: | Natural Resources | Full Time

48.00 - 53.00 USD per hour

Posted 8 days ago | Apply before July 12, 2026

The Idaho Department of Water Resources is offering an exciting opportunity for an individual with strong civil engineering experience, effective written and oral communication skills, and a desire to help protect public safety through Idaho’s Safety of Dams Program.

This position manages Idaho’s statewide Safety of Dams Program and provides professional engineering direction related to the inspection, evaluation, operation, maintenance, and regulatory oversight of dams and mine tailings impoundment structures throughout Idaho.

The position works closely with dam owners, consulting engineers, federal agencies, regional offices, and the public to help ensure regulated structures are maintained and operated in a safe manner consistent with Idaho law and administrative rules.

In addition to the minimum qualifications, the ideal candidate for this vacancy will also have experience applying engineering principles and practices to the design, construction, inspection, rehabilitation, operation, or maintenance of dams, reservoirs, mine tailings impoundments, or other large water retaining structures, reviewing engineering reports, plans, specifications, and technical analyses prepared by consultants or other professional engineers, and coordinating with local, state, or federal agencies, dam owners, mine operators, and the public on complex engineering or public safety issues.

Additional desired qualifications include experience administering grants or contracts, participating in emergency planning or response activities, and making presentations or leading discussions involving technical engineering issues.

• Manage Idaho’s statewide Safety of Dams Program consistent with Idaho Code and administrative rules
• Inspect dams, reservoirs, and mine tailings impoundment structures for compliance with safety standards and regulatory requirements
• Review engineering design plans and specifications for new dam construction, repairs, rehabilitation projects, and enlargements
• Review inspection reports and prepare Certificates of Approval for structures determined suitable for continued operation
• Coordinate with dam owners, consulting engineers, local governments, emergency management officials, and federal agencies regarding dam safety issues
• Review Emergency Action Plans (EAPs) for high hazard dams and participate in emergency preparedness exercises
• Administer and manage FEMA National Dam Safety Program grants and related reporting requirements
• Prepare technical memoranda, reports, correspondence, presentations, and program summaries related to dam safety activities
• Provide statewide technical guidance and promote consistency between regional offices and program staff
• Respond to public inquiries and investigate dam safety concerns or complaints

• Licensure in Idaho as Professional Engineer (PE), or eligibility for comity licensure by the Idaho Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors in accordance with Idaho Code, Title 54, Chapter 12.
• Experience:
  • Coordinating with state and local government operations regarding Dam Safety
  • Evaluating engineering projects and making decisions relative to their merit
  • Writing engineering reports and related correspondence
  • Reviewing and critiquing engineering analyses
  • Making oral presentations to groups, relative to the merits of engineering applications
  • Possession of valid driver’s license

• Experience leading and engaging with consultants, local, state, or federal government representatives, and dam owners to resolve design, construction, and safety concerns related to dams
• Experience preparing and administering contracts, grants, and bids
• Knowledge of material tests and testing standards, water measurement methods and equipment, civil engineering software modeling applications, and state water laws
• Demonstrated oral and written communication proficiency, including the ability to present technical information clearly to individuals with varying degrees of technical ability

The work is performed in an…